Fruit jar tool



P'. R; BRAUSE FRUIT JAR TOOL June 11, 1935;

Filed Aug. 23, 1934 2 Sheets-She'e't 1 PJ ZZ/WD Bra/ use June '11, 1935. p BRAUSE I I 2,004,485.

FRUIT JAR TOOL Filed Aug. 23, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llll Invent 01' Pia/Z R Bray/s e Patented June 11, 1935 FF i I FRUIT JAR TOOL Philip Robert Brause, West Union, Iowa Application August 23,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to that class of prior art devices such as are devoted to the art embracing tools and implements-for use in connection with screw caps and jar rings employed in conjunction with conventional Mason fruit jars.

Briefly stated, the preferred tool comprises a wrench for grasping and turning the screw cap either'up or down, together with an especially designed holder or adapter for the rubber gasket ring, and means for applying said ring to provide a. tight joint between the jar flange and screw cap.

It is a matter of common knowledge that fruit jars are frequently employed by housewives for canning meats and analogous food products. Many people prefer the flavor of meats thus canned by the so-called oven method or process but the attendant who must perform this task frequently encounters difficulty in handling the rubber gasket rings. It is evident, for example, that if the ring is placed on the jar before the jar is placed in the oven, the heat from the oven softens the rubber ring. Moreover, if the rings are not placed on until the roasting or. cooking is done, the task is rather unpleasant and hazardous as the jars and lids are then very hot and the application of the ringbecomes a real task. It is evident also that if the lid is removed to place the'rubber gasket ring in position, the seam escapes and this frequently promotes mold and contamination. It follows that it is the purpose of the present tool to provide a means whereby the gasket ring can be put in position between the cap and the jar flange immediately after the hot jar is removed from the oven and this is accomplished through the instrumentality of a practicable and economical device susceptible of dependable and expeditious usage due to the special arrangement and association of parts selected for carrying the invention into efifect.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings. In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a tool constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing the manner in which it is utilized.

Fig. 2 is a view in section and elevation disclosing the arrangement of parts a little more explicitly.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of a tool removed from the jar.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional and eleva- 1934, Serial No. 741,165-

observed that the conventional glassjar is denoted by the numeral 6, the filler neck being indicated at l and this having the customary endless bead or flange 8 to accommodate the rubber gasket ring 9. The usual screw cap is denoted'by the numeral l0.

The preferred embodiment of the tool comprises, broadly, a holder for the ring 9 which holder is adapted tc'accommodate a wrench for the cap l8 andwhich also serves as a carrier for the operating levers and other features which go to make up the complete operable device.

Specifically, the gasket adapter or holder isin the form of a hood I l and this comprises a metal shell having aconical portion i2 and an annular rim I3. In practice, the rubber gasket ring is placed around the rim as shown and is thereafter forced down and seated on theflange 8 by appro priate means. It follows that features I2 and "Hi are sufficiently large to fit over the cap I0. Moreover, it is evident that during the baking operation, the cap" 10- isput in position without the ring 9. Thereafter, the cap is loosened slight- 1y 2. distance sufficient to back it off: of the flange 8. Then, the ring is inserted in this space through the instrumentality of the tool and the ring adapter rim l3.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be observed'that the numeral I4 denotes a fixedly mounted handle or lever and I5 indicates the complemental movable or pivoted lever.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be observed that the cap grip or wrench is in the nature of a split wire ring II? which is housed within the annular portion I3 of the hood. This split wire is anchored rigidly as at I! at one end and the opposite laterally directed end I8 is extended out radially through a slot Hi. This cap grip or clamp I6 is made to embrace the cap Ill so that it can be screwed up or down. Therefore, it is radially expansible and contractible and this is accomplished through the instrumentality of the operating connection between the terminal l8 and the movable lever it. The operating connection embodies companion links and 2!.

I next call attention to the plunger which is carried by the levers and which is located externally of the hood so as to initially disengage the adjacent portion of the gasket ring so that it may be forced into the space between the flange 8 and the lower edge of the screw cap ID. This plunger comprises a stem 22 having a knob 23 on its upper end and having its lower end of hookshaped form 24. The hook is fashioned so as to be close to the rubber ring so that by pressing down on the plunger, the ring can be released from the rim l3. It will be noticed that the stem 22 is of rectangular cross sectional form and is slidably mounted in a bushing 25 carried by the superposed portions of the two levers. This is shown in Fig. 4. In the same figure, I show the return spring 26 which normally holds the plunger up in an out-of-the-way or none releasing position.

'I next call attention to the spider 21 on the interior of the hood which spider serves asan anchoring member for the down-bent attaching end of the ring applicator arm 28.- This arm is arranged on the exterior of the hood and is shaped.

. of the arm to the apex portion of the hood and turning the arm around in a circle, this forces the gasket ring down against the flange and spreads it in its proper position. The laterally directed inner end portion 35 isattached by way of aspring 3! to the spider.

In practice, it isunderstood that the contents of the jar is placed in the oven and cooked with the screw cap l in position. At this time, that is, during the cooking operation, the rubber gasket ring 9 is, of course, omitted. Then immediately upon removing the jar from the oven, the hood is placed over the cap and the clamp i6 embraces the cap so that it can be screwed 011 a slight distance so as to provide aspace between itself and the flange ,8 to accommodate the ring 9. The ring is'first placed around the rim i3 as shown in Fig. 1. Then with the, devicein the position shown in this same figure, the plunger is pressed down to initially push or disconnect the gasket ring from the rim. Then by grasping the finger grip 32 of the ring applicator and seating arm, this arm can be swung around in a circle to completely peel 011" the rubber ring and seat it on 'tion claimed may be resorted to the flange 8. After this, the screw cap I0 is turned back down against the ring to provide the requisite tight joint. It stands to reason, therefore, that a tool of this type is especially useful in home canning operations.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings, Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invenin actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. A gasket tool for fruit jars comprising a hood adapted to beplaced in positionover the neck of a jar with the jar cap in a loosened position and spaced from the abutting flange of the jar, and means for removing a rubbergasket placed on the outer periphery of the hood adjacent the lower edge thereof from said hood and-inserting the samebetween the .cap and flange. 1

2. A gasket tool for fruit jars comprising a hood adapted to be placed in position over the neck of a jar with the jar cap in a loosened position thereon spaced from the abutting flange of the jar, a movable plunger mounted externally of said hood the free end thereof being of hook formation the free end thereof terminating short of the outer periphery of said hood, a pivotally mounted applicator arm carried by said hood, said arm being located externally of said hood and having its lower end terminating adjacent the lower edge of the hood, and provided with a gasket removing and applying clip. e

3. A gasket tool'for fruit jars comprising 'a hood adapted to be positioned over the neck'of. a jar with the jar cap in a loosened position spaced from the abutting flange of the jar, a laterally extending handle on said hood, a spring pressed plunger associated with said handle, said plunger having its lower end of hook form with thehook located in the vicinity of the outside of said hood and adapted 'upon being depressed to initially slip from said head a portion of a gasket placed on the outer periphery of said hood. 1

' PHILIP ROBERT BRAUSE. 

